Goethe International Charter School is attempting to become the first school in Los Angeles to provide:
- a dual language immersion program
following the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate
(IB) curriculum. The IB combines the best of different
educational systems worldwide into a full and rich international
curriculum. Only six schools in all of California currently
follow the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. None
are in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
- an English-German immersion program.
Knowing German offers students of all language backgrounds the
opportunity to strengthen their English skills, since English is
based on a combination of Germanic and Romance language roots.
What grades will the school serve?
Initially, Goethe International served grades K-4. Grade 5 was added for the 2010-2011 school year. Additional grade levels will be added as these students advance. Multiple grades may be added as demand indicates. We hope to ultimately offer middle and high school grades so our students will receive full benefit of the IB and language programs.
When did the school open?
We opened with grade levels K-4 September, 2009.
Where will the school be located?
The school is located in the West Los Angeles area. We currently share a campus with Marina del Rey Middle School.
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that operate within the district under contract with the school district. Charter schools offer alternative teaching methods or curricula and more independence than regular public schools.
Is prior knowledge of German required to enter the school?
No. It is expected that the majority of students will come from English-only speaking households. The immersion program is designed to teach children who don’t have any prior German language knowledge. After-school tutoring and assistance with homework will be offered if a student needs some extra help. An intensive summer school program is in the works.
Is Goethe International the right school for you?
The educational experience at Goethe International will require a high degree of commitment from both students and their parents. Success by any measure will be difficult to achieve without: consistent attendance, dedication to the immersion language model and to the International Baccalaureate curriculum, abiding by behavioral expectations, parental involvement, effective communication between students, parents and staff and parental support of the school in the form of financial or in-kind donations and/or volunteering.
What does the Goethe International logo symbolize?
Our symbol is based upon one of Goethe’s significant contributions to human understanding - the color circle. The six segments of different and opposing colors are in harmony and order, arranged in a perfect circle. In the context of our bilingual, international and multi-cultural school, these colors are symbols for different roots and influences. The color circle shows us that differences are not borders. Rather, differences complement each other and create a dynamic whole.